Folding awning



H. L. ANGUS FOLDING AWNING Dec. 18, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24,1954 Harvey L. Angus INVENTOR.

BY m

i i z H. L. ANGUS FOLDING AWNING Dec. 18, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledAug. 24, 1954 Fig.3

Dec. 18, 1956 H. L. ANGUS 2,774,416

FOLDING AWNING Filed Aug. 24, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ALL Harvey L. Angus1N! 'EN'I'OR.

United States Patent C FOLDING AWNING [Harvey L. Angus, Havre, Mont.

Application August 24, 1954, Serial No. 451,774 4 Claims. Cl. 160-58This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a foldingawning and more specifically pertains to a folding awning of metalliccomposition having an improved mechanism whereby the operation offolding the roof of the awning will automatically effect the inwardfolding of sectional end panels of the awning.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a folding awning of ametallic character which shall utilize the forces of gravity to assistin the opening movement of the awning into its erected, operativeposition and to maintain it in the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding awning of thecharacter set forth in the preceding object which shall utilize themechanical advantage of leverage in a linkage mechanism to facilitatethe folding of the awning against the effects of gravity.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a metallic foldingawning as set forth above which shall employ corrugated aluminum sheetsto form the folding roof of the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a metallic foldingawning in which there shall be provided a joint cooperative actionbetween the upper and lower folding panels of the roof of the awning andfolding sectional end panels of the awning.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for foldingmetallic awnings whereby sectional end panels of the awning may befolded inwardly under the roof panels when the folding operation of theroof is initiated.

Another important object in accordance with the immediate precedingobject is to provide an adjustment to compensate for minor variations inthe proper proportions and dimensions of the folded linkages of theawning frame to thereby facilitate the proper adjustment of the awningmechanism and to facilitate the correction of and to compensate forminor discrepancies of operation which may result from wear during theuse of the awning.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a folding metallicawning in which the end panels shall be composed of sections eachdirectly hinged toone of the roof panels whereby the end panel sectionmay be folded under the roof panel during the folding operation of theawning.

A still further object of the invention is to provide'a folding metallicawning having each end panel composed of a pair of sections so shaped asto overlap each other when the awning is unfolded and ready foroperation whereby to form an end panel assembly substantially closingthe end of the awning; but associated as to fold compactly inoverlapping relation under the folding roof panel sections.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside inthe "ice inafter described and claimed,reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof,wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a folding metallic awning inaccordance with this invention, the same being shown applied to a windowopening and disclosed in its folded raised position when the awning isnot in op-' eration; V

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the awning of Figure l, but showingthe same in its open or lowered position when the awning is erected foroperation;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the frame of the awning the same beingshown in the lowered position of Figure 2, the roofing and end panels ofthe awning being omitted therefrom;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken upon an enlarged scale ofthe awning in its folded, raised position of Figure 1, and is takensubstantially upon the'plane indicated by the section line 44 of Figure1;

Figure 5 is a vertical fragmentary sectional view taken upon an enlargedscale substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 ofFigure 2 and showing the position of the parts and mechanism whenthe'awning is in its operative lowered position of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a group perspective view of two panels forming the sectionsof one of the folding ends of the awnings.

Referring now specifically to the accompanying drawings wherein likenumerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, it willbe seen that the foldable awning, designated generally by the numeral10, is

illustrated as mounted inoperative relation to a vertical surface suchas a window construction 12 with which it is desired to use thefunctions and advantages of the awning is mounted as by hinges 20 and asshown best in Figure 4, the lower end of the upper section and the upperend of the lower section are hingedly connected together as by hinges 22whereby the awning frame may be pivoted from its unfolded, lowered andoperative position shown in Figure 3 to the raised or folded positionsshown in Figures 1 and 4.

The upper and lower sections 16 and 18 are each covered by any suitablecovering, and for the purposes of this invention a sheet of corrugatedmetal, such as aluminum or the like is preferably employed, thecorrugated covering for the upper section being shown at 24 while thatfor the lower section is shown at 26. A pair of pivoted braces areprovided to facilitate the folding and unfolding operation of the roofsections and to support the same in either their folded or unfoldedpositions.

These braces, are longitudinally extensible, preferably comprising arod-like member 30 which is hinged to a supporting bracket 32 mountedupon the vertical sup-' porting surface in anydesired position, and amember 34 pivoted as at 36 to the lower portion of the frame of thelower section 18 of the awning roof. An adjusting nut 38 upon thethreaded extremity of the rod 34 serves to lock the end of the ladder inadjusted position in the details of construction and operation as morefully heresame, in relation to the proportions and dimensions of theupper and lower sections of the awning roof and the position of thepivots 20 in order to effect the foldingof the awning from its raisedposition of Figures 1 and 4 to its lowered position of Figures 2, 3 and5.

In the awning illustrated, two braces have been shown,

one at each end of the awning; It will be readilyunden.

stood that any desired number of braces will be provided er d as- JP99-ba len t nd Wi h o the awn n V t pe- 91f e e a a m be Prov ded. for rflect: ingthe folding movement of the awning between its upper and fpositions; Conveniently, the farrangement shown in-Figures 4 and 5 maybeprovided, the same 7 comprising a crankshaft extending through thewindow or wall opening with which the awning is associated, and

having an operating handle 40 preferably disposed within the structureover which the awning is' mounted, and having a; pulleyo'r Windlass 42on its extremity which extends. outwardly ofthe structure; A cable? 44is sethe lower 'section to be moved closer'to the upper end oftthe uppersection,.this resulting in a folding'of the tworsectionslabout theirconnecting hinges 22, until the sections-are folded upon each other asshown in Figure 4 ".During this folding movement of the two sections,the-attachment of the lowerend of the lower section to the bracescausesfthelatter to move upwardly uponits pivot 32 It Will be evidentthat the various links of the movable members 'Will be so proportionedand their pivots will be so. located as toperrnit and efiect thisfolding movement from the arrangement of Figures 5, -2 and 3 to theupper, folded position of Figures 1 and 4. Any s light discrepancy inthe proportions, either due to inaccurate manufacture, or to Wear in theparts during use,

can becornpensated for by adjusting the length of the ra e. m m e s. .0.and- 4- It is, of course; understoodthat in some instances the foldedawning-may include 110 more than the structure previously describedjThus, the same may consist oi merely the upper and lower roof sectionswith the abovedescr be tq ns' e a on. H wev r, t is. generally P panelsections 54 and 56 are swung about their hinges,-

the lower section of the awning roof to thereby close the space at theend of the awning roof. 7

The adjacent edges of the panels 54 and 56, shown at 76 and 78,respectively, are disposed in overlapping relation. This relationship isindicated in Figure 5 in which it will be seen that the edge 78 overliesthe panel 54 and its edge 76. It will now be seen that when the end theywill move from their-vertical, erected positions shown in Figures 2 and5, to aposition folded .beneath the roof panels as will be understoodfrom Figures 1 and4. f V I 1 t a In general, the force of gravity isrelied upon to cause or assist in the unfolding or "downward movement ofthe 'and'S, with Figure 4 it will be seen that the roof sections ferredto provide end panels to close the open ends of 7 7 wning. below therooi'portiont For this purpose,

t]; are provided at each'endfof the; awning an end' the same consistingof a pairof sections. 54 and s"s'hown"in Eigure 6, the se sections areof different .si'ze and shape, for a purpose which will now be setlfforthi Theendipanel section '54 -is adapted to underlie the upper roofsections '16 and for thatpurpose has an upper edge58 which issubstantially of the same length as theifend of the. upper roof sectionand is adapted to be .hingedly secured to the underside of the roofsection frame as by suitable hinges 60, hinge attaching apertures 62bing provided in the section :54 for that'purpose. lnja sin ilar manner,the endjpanel section. 56 is provided with apertures 64 whereby'hinges66 attached thereto: may be: employed. to secure the upper edge 68; ofthesectionf5 to the underside of thelower roof section. Thus, the twosections 54' and, 5,6 are pivoted or'hinged to the undersides'of theupper and; lower roof sections for'slwinging .or folding movementtherebeneath, Further, the edges SS and 68 of the two end panelsections. are 'disposedrclosely adjacent to and beneath the under-. sideofi the sections of the awning roof. At-its; end which ierernote frornthe section 5.6, the; section .54; has a ver tical .edge."7 (l"which.is: adapted to be. disposedclosely adjacent the window. assembly 1201the vertical surface uponwhich the awn-ing is supported tosubstantiallyclose the, spacebetween the same and the lower side of theawningfroof. 1 i 7 folding. movement of the .end sections of; theawning,

roof panels from their folded position of Figures 1 and 4 to theiropenposition of Figures 2,3 and 5; and to assist in the downwardswinging movement of the end panel sections from their collapsed.position in Figures: '1 and 4 to. their vertical, open positions ofFigures 2 and.

5. Ifdes'ired; spring. pr other means could be provided to assist'in'any of these unfolding operations or movements of the awning parts.In order to cause the folding of the end panel sections 'to. theircollapsed or stored 7 position beneath the ,roof panels, during thefoldingof.

the awning roof, a mechanism is provided interconnecting the'end panelsections with. the roof panel sections. This mechanism is shown moreclearly in Figures 3-5; and comprisesth'e lirikageand pulleysystem; Thelinkage includesa pair of elements or members 84 and 86 which arepivotally connected at 88 and have. their opposite ends pivoted as at90and 92 to the frame of the upper andlower sections of the roof.- Bycomparing. Figures 3 and their folding movement cause a correspondingpivoting actuation of-the linkage members. Secured' to the 7 linksattheir pivotal connection 88;is one ,end ofcables 94. These cables areentrained over pulleys 96 secured" to the'frame of one of-theroofsections and thence passes through guide members 98 car-ried by thelower portion Qfthe lower roof section, and has its other 'endsattached? as at 10% to. the lower edge of the end paneli section 56'which lies outwardly of the other end panel sectiont54. Thus, when thecable is tensionedby actuation of the folding linkage members and 86,the

end, panel sections Sdwill befolded inwardly and due to. theoverlappinglrelationship with the end panel sec;

tions, also fold the latter inwardly. Y a

.The. arrangement'issuch that upon the initial upward or foldingmovement of the roof section-of the awning, themovement imparted'tothelinkage members 84'311186 hereby will tension the. cables. and thusinitiate the inward whereby a joint folding action is imparted tofboththe roof sections andthe end sections; After the end sections have movedin a certain amount, further inwardmovementisunnecessary since thecompletion of the inward folding of the sections of the end panels. willbe com pleted by the pressure of the folding roof panel sections. t

thereon: t t t It. will. be; of course understood that properproportions and dimensionsiwill be: given to .the 'various elementsjtoeffect. this functions, butobviously the choice ofthesedimensionsJandproportions is in no'way a limitation upon theprinciples of this invention. It will be evident that the. distances,between. thev pivot points of the upper and lower} roof sections" andthe; brace may be so' selected as tosecure; a very rigid :mounting of'the awning in its opened; position'and constitute. a positive limit tothe;

- downwardopeningmovement.ofthe awning. I

. V The two sections of the end panel are. so proportioned hat wer'i v7. n 2am ubs antial y e. same horizontal line or plane with thelowerlpoition of.;

From -the foregoing,= the. construction and operation However, i

scribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents maybe resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A folding awning comprising a roof having upper and lower sectionsand being movable between a raised, folded position and :a lowered,opened position, means hingedly supporting the upper section by itsupper portion for vertical swinging movement, means hingedly connectingthe upper end of the lower section to the lower end of the upper sectionfor relative swinging and folding movement, a brace pivoted at one endto the lower end of the lower section and at its other end supported forvertical swinging movement for joint movement with the roof, :1 foldableend hinged to said roof, said end comprising a pair of end sections eachhinged to one of said roof sections at the outer edge and to theunderside thereof for folding therebetween when said roof sections arefolded into their raised and folded position, said end sections beingindependent of each other.

2. A folding awning comprising a roof having upper and lower sectionsand being movable between a raised, folded position and a lowered,opened position, means hingedly supporting the upper section by itsupper portion for vertical swinging movement, means hingedly connectingthe upper end of the lower section to the lower end of the upper sectionfor relative swinging and folding movement, a brace pivoted at one endto the lower end of the lower section and at its other end supported forvertical swinging movement for joint movement with the roof, 3. foldableend hinged to said roof, said end comprising a pair of end sections eachhinged to one of said roof sections at the outer edge and to theunderside thereof for folding therebetween when said roof sections arefolded into their raised and folded position, said end sections beingindependent of each other, actuating means operatively connected to saidroof sections and to said end sections for causing folding of said endsections upon relative folding movement of the roof section.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said actuating means mechanismconnected to said end panel and operable by folding of the roof forfolding said end panel under the roof, said mechanism including a pairof elements connected to relatively movable portions of the roof foractuation thereby.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said mechanism includes tensionmembers fastened each to one of said elements and to said end panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,536,520 Parker May 5, 1925 2,259,903 McCarthy Oct. 21, 1941 2,465,724Hembree Mar. 29, 1949 2,600,227 Etten June 10, 1952 2,654,424 LiberatoreOct. 6, 1953

